Self-acting stock feed



27, 1946- R. A. PAPSDORFA ,5

SELF-ACTING STOCK FEED Filed March 2, 1945 s Sheets-Sheet 1 1 R. A.,PAPSDO'RF 2,406,508

- SELF-ACTING STOCK FEED Filled March 2, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 g- 1946 R. A. PAPsDoRF 2,406,508

SELF-ACTING STOCK FEED Filed March 2, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Aug. 27, 1946. R. A. PAPSDQRF SELF-ACTING STOCK FEED V FiledMarch 2, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 hnrrn. Papa (an; pvvawrok;

Aug. 27, 1946. R. A. PAPSDO-F 2, 06,5 8

SELF-ACTING 'STOCK FEED;

Filed March 2, 1945 5 eets-Sheet 5 Patented Aug. 27, 1946 SELF-*ACIING STOCK FEED Robert A. Papsdorl Los. An elesi Calif.

Application March 2, 1945, Serial No. 580,577

22 Claims. (Cl. 164-117 This invention is in the, art of punch press equipment for machine shops and its concept is, in improvements in means for feeding strip. stock to the press dies,v or other given working parts.

It is an, object. of this invention to. provide a. simple, highly effic-ient, practical, substantial and reliable. mechanism for alternately holding the. work strip and for alternately automaticall feeds. ing. the strip in pr determined amounts lengthwise) to the work performing, tool parts in a given'press. It. is to be understood, however, that the use of the feeding mechanism is. not limited to. punch presses- A further object of the invention is to provide a press controlled, independently powered stock feeder including a separately powered, stock vise and vise reci rocating assembly; it being an ob: ject, in thi connection, to provide. for fluid pres,- sure activation. of. the. vise and its reciprocating device.

An additional object of the invention is to pro= vide a self-actin control for the press activated vise.

Also. an. objec of the invention is to pr vide a unitarily organizedholding; and feeding mechanism. readily bodily attachable to a given typ of punch press with but little or no toolin or ma chilling, or alteration of the. original machine or press.

The invention resides in. certainnovel conceptions improving the art of stock feed to given pparatus, such as punch presses, as set forth in the ensuing t and having, with the above, addi! n l obiects and advantages as hereinafter dev lope nd whose constructions, combinations, and sub-combina ions, and details of means and the manner of operation will be made manifest in the following description of the herewith ile lustrative embodiments; it being understood that modifications. variations and adaptations may be resorted to within the scope, spirit and principle of the presently claimed invention.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the combined punch press, the stock feeding unit, and the feeder control. Figure 2 is a longitudinal plan and sectional view of the fluid powered, vise r ciprocator. Figure 3 is a plan of the assembled, unitary feed mechanism; With-the stock holding clamp and the travelling vise, and end sets of stock guide rollers. Figure 4 is a front elevation. of the holding clamp and the, vise, and the guide rollers, and the assembly bed frame. Figure .5 s a cross-Section of. he vise and the stati nary supporting rails. Figure 6 is a leit end elevation, d igure '7 is a right end elevation; as o Fi 4 Figure 8 is an elevation showing the rear side ofthe clamp and a portion of the bed frame.

Figure 9 is a plan of a double action feeder in= volving the same principles asset out as to Fig. 1,

and Figure- 10" is front elevation thereof. Figure I1 is across-section (vertically) on line !IH of Fig. 10:. Figure 12' is a vertical section on line l2.l.2 of Fig. 11. Figure I3 is a horizontal plane, section on line. I3-.I3 of Fig..l0 of a rod and'vise' assembly;

In the present disclosure the primary controller of the feeding means is an electric switch 2, though other devices may be used instead as the ram 3 of the press rises an abutment 2a thereon will engage the normally open lever of the switch and close the switch whereby to effect closure of circuit in a two-wire cable 5 serving a solenoid- 6,

I Fig. 2.

A feature of this invention resides in a more or less unitary frame or bed I which carries all of the, mechanical means used here to hold or to step-by-step 'feed the given stock strip Hl. Therefore the organized assembly can be readily bolted in suitable position on the table 411 of the press. I

The solenoid 6 is fixed on the outer end of the bed I- and has a reciprocating, axial core I l suitably affixed to the stem ii of a cylindrical valve 12 closely fitting in a valve chest. I3 and having a cross-port- H, which in the position. shown in Fig. 2 delivers fluid pressure ('air preferred) from a constant pressure chamber 5 to a power-duct Hi feeding one end of a pressure cylinder I"! to force a piston l8, therein, far to the right. Mean while operating fluid. is exhausting by way of one of two exhaust ports [9. and 2a which are alternately Opened by passage of relative ends of the valve I! to clearance position from these ports.

The. valve I2 is normally pulled to the position in g. 2 by a ght spring 21 to effect movement of the piston l8 to an idle or right end location i in, readiness to. be driven to the leftinstantly the ram 3 closes the Solenoid circuit. When this circuit is closed the valve snap-s to the right and: its port it registers with a power port [6" feeding pressure to the right end ofthe piston l8 with the: consequence that this is rapidly'driven on its functioning stroke tov the left; this stroke being used to efieot leftfeed of the stool; str p li EX- haust of flui from the left end oi the cylinder H is by way of the port or duct 16 and exhaustp 2!]. when this latter is uncovered by the valve 12. As soon as the. solenoid is de energized the sprin 2| again retracts the valve IE and fluid pressure returns the piston to the right end of the cylinder..

3 and 4.

Extending from the constant pressure chamber IE is a flexible hose 2B constantly supplying fluid pressure to a feed port 21 in the vise body block 24 and which is alternately'openedand closed by a spool valve 28 more or less freely sliding endwise in the block to supply pressure to or stopit from a chamber 29 in the block and in which a' piston 39 is constantly resisted by an upthrusting spring 3|. flow to the chamber 29 the .piston 30 moves down and by its rod 32 rocks alever 33 pivoted in the block'and having one end engaginga button 34 pressed down by its spring 35. The button is fixed to a push rod 36 having fixed on its upper end avise jaw'3l. Close above the moving jaw 3'! is a fixed upper jaw 33 which cooperates with the lower jaw to grip an interposed portion of the stock strip l 9 which is to be fedinto the press. The normal position of the jawS'l is as it is when it is under pressure by way of the fluid activated is to theright limit, Fig.2, as then also is the vise 24. 1

With the objective of simplicity, the vise valve 28 is self-acting and of utmost simplicity in con- I struction and is motivated by its own kinetic energy; preferably. 'Therefore valve28 is here shown in Fig. 3 as extending entirely through the block or body 24 and having enlarged heads 28' which not only give it desired weight but further serve as valve stops at the ends of its reciprocations in the vise body 24; the valve having sufficientstroke to open and close theport 27. In Fig. 3 the valve 28 is in effective vise jaw closing position and the vise is considered as moving to the left and the stock In is being shifted in the direction of the arrow." When the vise reaches the end of its'feeding stroke the energy stored When the'valve 28 opens piston 30 and that isxwhile the main piston I8 2,406,508 i T; .w

therefore act to press'the bar firmly onto the Double action feed means In Figs. 9 to 13, inclusive, the mechanism shown is designed to positively feed the stock ID at each stroke of the punch 3 of a press which is provided with a switch 2 of such type that current ;will excite the solenoid 6, Fig. 9, on each stroke of thepunch.

Fig. 12 shows the solenoid rod pulling the valve l2 to the left to serve air to the port lb of the cylinder I1, and open exhaust port IS; the piston I8 being driven to the right. In this device there is an adjustable bumber screw 50 whereby to stop the piston at any desired right end position and thus regulate the amount of stock feed at each piston stroke in eitherv direction.

"For the purpose of advancing stock to the left at each reciprocation of the piston the rod 22 is attached by a block 5!, Fig. 13, to the near end of a carrier or slide bar 52 mounted in ways 53, parallel to the cylinder I1, and to the bar 52 is fixed a parallel rack 54 constantly meshing with a pinion 55 whoseupper rim portion meshes with a rack bar fixed to and carrying a slide 51 running in ways 58. v

InFig. 13 the rack 54 is shown rigidly attached to the lower part of a stock feeding vise 59; a like vise 59 being rigidly afiixed torthe upper .bar 55. These vises have spring raised pistons 6|. whose rods 6| have press'er jaws 62 driven'down when air pressure from a relative momentum,

7 control valve 28a (of the same principle as set in the spool valve 28 will cause it to'automatically it will not be moved to the right in'the interim of'right hand stroke of the vise 24; and yet which will not interfere with left hand feed of the stock by like motion of the effective ivise. This means as disclosed here includes an elongate clamp bar 49 disposed above and along a box or cover plate M which houses the above set forth pressure chest and cylinder relative to the main piston 18; this cover plate forming a platform for the incoming 'strip; as-frorn reel 42. The bar has pins 43'interengaged with the near ends of overhanging levers 44; Figs. 7 and 8, and whose outer ends are up-thrust by jack springs 45 which out above as to the valve 28),opens air port 21a,

when in'position XI, Fig. 9. When the valve 28a shifts to position like X2 9. relative exhaust port:

23x is opened tovent the trapped air'and let the piston rise and lift the effective'jaw 62flfrom the stock. Solong as air pressure is applied to the jaw of either vise 59 or 6!! the stock is clamped stock is fed tothe press. V

Sudden stop of the piston l8 and thereby the related Vises, in either direction of their move-: ments, causes the momentumjvalves28a to be instantly: shifted from an open to a closed posi-.. tion, or vice versa: one or the other of these Vises. feeds stock at every stroke of the driving piston 18, but only the vise thatis' moving toward the left is effective on'the stock. The vise valves are fed'air constantly from a common supply head l5a which also feeds the'inoto'r valve l2.

A presser foot 45a, Fig. 10, acts tohold the stock still while notfeedingly gripped byQa vise.

What is claimed is: .1. In an automatic stock operated, reciprocating motor, a vise reciproca-' tive by said motor and including a self-acting clamping and self-releasing device, and a master;

control for the motor adapted for operation bya nation of a reciprocating motor, and a recipro -l cable; self-acting stock gripping and self-acting releasing vise, and a, drive connection between the vise and the motor, and a motor controller feedin mechanism: the combination of a double-action. fluid pressure I adapted for actuation by a coacting part of apparatus to which the stock is to be fed.

3. The combination, in a stock feeder, with a motor having a reciprocable part: of an automatic, power activated Vise reciprocative by said part and including a self-actin device to both set and to open the vise, and a master controller for the motor adapted for operation by apparatus to which the stock is fed.

4. In combination: an independently activated master controller; a prime motor controlled thereby, and an independently motivated vise, to grip stock to be fed, which is bodily reciprocated by the motor, and a momentum device to alternately self-set and self-release the vise.

5. In combination: an independently activated master controller; a prime motor controlled thereby, and a self-setting and self -releasing vise bodily reciprocated by the motor.

6. A stock feeding device comprising a unitary assembly adapted to be bodily attached to or removed from a given work handling apparatus and which assembly includes a reciprocative, power actuated stock vise and means to reciprocate the vise, and a common bodily portable mounting for the vise and said means and which is adapted for aforesaid attachment, and a selfacting power control means for effectin automatic gripping and automatic releasing vise actions.

'7. The device of claim 6; said vise control means being kinetically motivated.

8. The device of claim 6; said control including a self -mo-tivate :l control member.

9. A stock feeding device comprising a unitary assembly adapted to be bodily installed in effective combination with a given work machine and including an independently motivated vise means havin a self-setting and self-releasing gripper, and stroke making means which are interconnected so that the vise is shifted to and fro to feed interposed stock when clamped in the said vise.

10. A strip stock feeder for a work performing machine, having in combinationr'a power motor having a piston rod, a' power actuated vise including self-setting and self-releasing grip means, said rod connected to said vise to bodily reciprocate it, and a master controller for the motor and including a part adapted to be actuated by an element of said machine.

11. In a stock feeder for a work performing machine: a double acting, pneumatic motor having a piston rod and a reciprocating valve, a solenoid whose core is connected to the valve to shift it in one direction, means to retract the valve, a controller for the solenoid which is operable by a cooperative part of said machine, a power-set vise connected to and bodily reciprocated by said rod, and an automatic control for set and release of the vise.

12. The feeder of claim 11; said vise control including a self-shifting valve controlling power flow to the vise.

13. In a stock feeder of the class described: a mounting structure for bodily attachment to a given machine, a system of guides on the structure for work stock control, a stock vise guidedly reciprocative on the structure, a self-acting means to alternately set the vise on and release it from interposed work and including a part controlled by vise motions, power means connected to and reciprocatin th'e vise, an automatic control apparatus for said power means, and a clamp to hold the stock when the stock is freed by the vise.

14. The feeder of claim 13; said vise setting means including a pneumatic motor having a vise-motion motivated valve.

15. The combination with a punch press having a reciprocating ram, of a mechanism to intermittently feedstock to the press and including an organized, bodily installable assembly comprising a mounting having a solenoid whose circuit is controlled by said ram, a pressure fluid operated motor having a valve connected to the core of the solenoid for stroke in one direction thereby and an automatic retractor for the valve, and a self-setting and self-opening vise bodily 'reciprocated by the motor.

15. A pneumatic vise for feeding stock to a press, including a bodily movable structure having a stock rest, a cylinder and a piston therein having a jaw to grip stock on the rest, means to automatically retract the piston and the law from the rest, and a momentum activated valve for supplying air to the piston cylinder during shift of the vise bodily in one direction and fixed, means for concurrently shifting the carriers and their Vises in opposite directions, and self-acting means for automatically setting the vises on and automatically releasing the vises from the stock at given reciprocations.

19. The apparatus of claim 18; said setting and releasing means including air driven pistons, and automatic momentum valves for control of the pistons.

20. The apparatu of claim 18; said shifting means including a pneumatic motor for actuating the carriers, and an automatic control for the motor.

21. Apparatus, for feeding stock to a stock working machine, including a pair of vises and a pair of carriers to which they are respectively fixed, means for concurrently shifting the carriers and their vises in opposite directions, and means for automatically setting the vises on the stock at given reciprocations; said shifting means including racks fixed to the carriers, a pinion engaging and reversely driving the racks, and a motor connected to and reciprocating one of the carriers.

22. The apparatus of claim 18; said setting and releasing means including a pneumatic motor having self-actuated, double-action air'valve.

ROBERT A. PAPSDORF. 

